Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 9 Oct 2001

Vol. 541 No. 4

Written Answers. - Social Work and Therapy Services.

Derek McDowell

Question:

129 Mr. McDowell asked the Minister for Education and Science if his attention has been drawn to the shortage of qualified social workers and therapists; the precise role of the Health Education Authority in determining the number of training places required; and the reason the number of training places has not been significantly increased to meet demand. [22991/01]

Minister for Education and Science (Dr. Woods)

The report of the National Social Work Qualifications Board of July 2000 provides baseline information on social work posts in Ireland, based on a survey of the position as at 1 September 1999. The survey concluded there were not enough qualified social workers available to fill available posts and that an increase in the number of graduates from professional social work courses would be required in order to meet future demand. The report outlined how any increase in training places is intrinsically linked to practice placement opportunities. Quality practice placements are at the core of social work training and constitute some 50% of course time. The report noted a crisis in supply of practice placements due to a lack of formalised structures and resources.

On foot of this report, my officials are in ongoing discussions with the Higher Education Authority, the Department of Health and Children and the National Social Work Qualifications Board in regard to training places for social workers. The Department of Health and Children is putting arrangements in place to ensure an adequate supply of quality practice placements. A considerable expansion in provision has been agreed, with an extra 35 places being provided for the current academic year and a further 50 places planned for the following academic year, to bring the total number of places available to some 194 with effect from the 2002-03 academic year. The National Social Work Qualifications Board is currently undertaking a follow-up survey on the position pertaining at 1 September 2001.

On the question of a shortage of therapists, the Department of Health and Children commissioned a report from Dr. Peter Bacon and Associates on current and future supply and demand conditions in the labour market for physiotherapists, occupational therapists and speech and language therapists. The report was launched in July 2001 and it concluded that a major expansion in the numbers of therapy professionals was essential over the next 15 years. In relation to training places, the report recommends an annual increase of 75 training places for both speech and language therapy and occupational therapy and an additional 25 training places in physiotherapy. These increases are in addition to the extra number of places provided by the colleges in the last academic year in response to the request of the Higher Education Authority to expand provision in the light of perceived shortages. The Higher Education Authority invited institutions to submit proposals for the expansion of existing courses and/or the introduction of new courses, including graduate entry programmes. The closing date for receipt of such proposals is 15 October.

I will continue to liaise with my colleague the Minister for Health and Children to ensure an adequate supply of qualified personnel in the three therapy professions and in social work. As to the role of the Higher Education Authority, I can advise the Deputy that the authority is statutorily required to maintain a continuous review of the demand and need for higher education.